Join Us in Chicago
Expo Hours
| Monday Sept. 8 | 9 AM — 5 PM |
| Tuesday Sept. 9 | 9 AM — 5 PM |
| Wednesday Sept. 10 | 9 AM — 5 PM |
| Thursday Sept. 11 | 9 AM — 3 PM |
Venue
McCormick Place
2301 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60616
About the Expo
North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event heads to McCormick Place in September 2025. FABTECH provides a convenient "one stop shop" venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity, increase profits and discover new solutions to all of your metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing needs.
North America's Largest Metal Forming, Fabricating, Welding and Finishing Event
October 16, 2024|12:30 pm – 1:30 pm (CT)
Attracting, Engaging, Training, and Keeping Next Generation Employees
The growing need for manufacturing employees warrants different outlooks and methods for attracting new generations into the industry. The wants, needs, and goals of outgoing employees are different from those entering the job market today. This dynamic panel of industry leaders and educators will address some of these changes and explore new ideologies, strategies, and alternatives to help meet the current employment challenges.
Attendees will find out what approaches other companies are taking – what is working, as well as what isn’t working and hear perspectives from those currently educating the next workforce. Prepare to leave with new ideas and outlooks you can take back and implement in your search for the new workforce.
Presenters
Event Speakers
Max Ceron
Executive Director, CWB Association , CWB Group
Max has been in the steel trades since the age of 17. Working as both a welder and fabricator, Max has extensive experience in all levels of the trades – from welders’ helper, welder/fitter, educator, manager, Business owner, and now National Director at the Canadian Welding Bureau. Max hopes to support, educate, and provide opportunities to all persons in the steel trades across Canada and beyond.
Michael Cole
Regional Campus President, StrataTech Education Group
Experienced Education Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Career Development, Student Recruiting, Coaching, Admissions Counseling, and Customer Retention.
Angela Phillips
CEO, Phillips Tube Group, Inc
Angela Phillips is the CEO of Phillips Tube Group, Inc. She brings over 30 years of operational and strategic business experience to the precision welded steel tube industry. The daughter of company founder Ralph H. Phillips, she literally “grew up” in the business, gaining a broad-based understanding of manufacturing and has been successfully leading the organization following her father’s passing in 2009.
Ms. Phillips continues this powerful legacy today, growing Phillips Tube Group to even greater heights through acquisitions and other major investments. She has been the recipient of numerous professional awards including:
2023 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year – East Central Winner
2023 Bizwomen Power 50 List: Dayton Business Journal
2023 Induction into the North Central Ohio Industrial Manufacturing Hall of Fame
2023 Economic Impact Award: Richland Area Chamber of Commerce
2023 Visionary Award: The Shelby Foundation
2023 & 2022 Ohio’s Top 500 Leaders & Business Executives – Manufacturing: Ohio Business Magazine
2022 Small Business Award: Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
2021 New Investment Award: Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County
Lori Tapani
Co-President, Wyoming Machine, Inc.
Lori Tapani and her sister, Traci, have been Co-presidents of Minneapolis-based Wyoming Machine since 1997 after taking over the helm from their father, Thomas Tapani, who founded the company in 1974 with two partners. Aside from being co-president of Wyoming Machine, Lori is a CPA, a mother, an artist, and a Harley Davidson enthusiast.
2025 Platinum Sponsors
